News Summary
Andrew Do, a former Orange County Supervisor, has been sentenced to five years in prison for accepting over $550,000 in bribes, marking a significant corruption conviction. His actions, involving the misappropriation of COVID-19 relief funds, led to a deterioration of public trust and significant financial impacts. The case highlights the need for accountability among elected officials, particularly during times of crisis. The sentencing is a wake-up call regarding corruption in public office, with implications for both Do and others involved in the scandal.
Santa Ana, California – Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has been sentenced to five years in prison for accepting over $550,000 in bribes during his time in office. This decision marks the first criminal conviction of an Orange County supervisor in nearly half a century.
U.S. District Judge James Selna remarked on the far-reaching impact of public corruption, asserting that it not only incurs financial losses but also significantly erodes public trust. Do, who previously held a prominent position as a Vietnamese-American politician, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which led to the maximum five-year sentence that prosecutors sought.
In the lead-up to his sentencing, Do resigned from the Orange County Board of Supervisors in October after agreeing to plead guilty for his role in a scheme that misappropriated millions from COVID-19 relief funds. The scheme involved directing contracts to two organizations: Viet America Society and Hand-to-Hand Relief Organization Inc., both of which were allocated funds intended for meal provisions for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Out of the $9.3 million designated for the Viet America Society to provide meals, only $1.4 million was actually utilized for that purpose.
Significant amounts of money that flowed through the Viet America Society were linked to Do’s daughters. His daughter Rhiannon Do received substantial payments in her role at the organization, which included assistance in acquiring a $1 million home. Another daughter reportedly received $100,000 from the Viet America Society. These financial arrangements were a key factor in the legal proceedings against Do.
During the sentencing hearing, Do’s defense team argued for a lighter 33-month sentence, claiming their client had been “willfully blinded” to the ramifications of the payments made to his daughters. However, prosecutors denounced Do’s actions as offensive, asserting that he knowingly exploited vulnerable members of the community during a national health crisis.
In conjunction with Do’s sentencing, new charges were unsealed against Peter Pham, founder of Viet America Society, and Thanh Huong Nguyen, associated with Hand-to-Hand Relief Organization. Both are implicated in utilizing misappropriated funds for personal expenses and lavish lifestyles. Such revelations have heightened criticism regarding the integrity of public officials and the organizations involved in this scandal.
Supervisors from the Orange County Board have expressed that Do’s sentencing serves as a strong warning against corruption in public office. Numerous officials have noted that Do’s actions undermined the trust of a community already facing challenges during the pandemic, further complicating the government’s ability to provide essential services to those in need.
As part of the sentencing package, a hearing to determine the restitution Do must pay will take place in August. U.S. District Judge Selna expressed frustration that the law only permitted the maximum five-year sentence, indicating that the implications of Do’s actions warranted a more significant penalty.
Andrew Do, who fled Vietnam as a child and later served as a public defender and prosecutor, was first elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2015. His defense posited that the corruption in question arose primarily from dealings with the Viet America Society, arguing that it stemmed from a grave lapse in judgment concerning his family’s interactions with these organizations.
Overall, the consequences of Do’s actions have initiated a broader discussion concerning public integrity and the accountability of elected officials, especially during a time of widespread crisis.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do Sentenced
- Los Angeles Times: Andrew Do Sentenced
- Courthouse News: Former Orange County Supervisor Sentenced
- Fox LA: Andrew Do Former OC Supervisor Sentenced
- My News LA: Ex-OC Supervisor Andrew Do Gets 5 Years Prison
- Wikipedia: Public Corruption
- Google Search: Andrew Do bribery case
- Google Scholar: Andrew Do corruption
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
- Google News: Andrew Do
